REVIEW: Take That kick off Greatest Hits tour at Sheffield Arena with Lulu and Robbie..(sort of)

TAKE That emerge onto the stage of their Greatest Hits tour from a giant suspended globe - which is fitting for a band who have conquered the universe and meant the world to their army of fans for three decades. 

Last night’s opening night of their 52-date stadium and arena tour at Sheffield’s Fly DSA Arena was a nostalgia-filled, joyous celebration of their 30 years in music, which also proved Gary, Mark and Howard haven’t run out of ideas. 

As support act Rick Astley drew to a close anticipation was high, Take That are a live band and their tours are a work of art – giant robots, mechanical elephants, underwater backdrops, how would they top themselves? 

I took up my seat and spotted Gary Barlow’s best pal, Dinnington music producer Eliot Kennedy a row in front. Only two weeks ago it was Gary and Mark supporting Eliot as the songwriter saw in his 50th birthday at the Sheffield City Hall.  

Interview soundbites from Take That in their infancy rang out across the arena, which with hindsight are sweet to hear as they had no idea what they were going to go on and achieve.  

The band struck up Greatest Day as the globe span round to reveal the boys in shiny, retro tracksuits as Mark gestured to the crowd that his heart was beating fast – mine too, Mark, mine too! 

A second stage rose up to allow the boys to stride out above the 13,000 screaming fans as they segwayed into their 1992 breakout hit, It Only Takes a Minute, before bringing us right back up to date with their 12th number one single These Days from 2014. 

The boys have remastered and reimagined their greatest hits for their latest album Odyssey, giving some well-known tunes a disco revamp - which had a hint of another famous trio, the Bee Gees, about it.

It’s been the question on everybody’s lips leading up the tour – will Robbie make an appearance? Well, I’m glad to report he did...sort of! As the band struck up Everything Changes a hologram Robbie filled the ginormous globe (Insert joke about the size of Robbie’s ego here), giving his pals time for a quick change before they reappeared to deliver a jazzier version of the fan favourite. 

I was so pleased to hear some of their lesser-known tracks pulled out of the back catalogue like Love Ain’t Here Anymore - which my sister and I even learnt the Spanish version of when we were kids! And yes, we can still recite it to this day. 

Underrated pop/RnB banger Sure (a personal favourite) was given a welcomed dusting off as the lads and their female backing dancers donned TLC-inspired baggy white satin suits to deliver one of the most high-impact dance routines of the night.   

He might be pushing 50, but I challenge any woman to try and not go weak at the knees at the sight of Mark Owen in a tight-white vest and a cool Miami Vice-style pastel pink tailored suit. Mark looks in top physical form and his wardrobe is nearly in contention to steal the show. Hats off to his stylist. 

A beautiful nod to fifth-member Jason (who quit in 2014) came as the journey through the band’s history brought us up to their 2005 reunion. Jason’s stirring ‘what have we got to lose’ speech proved he was a huge positive driving force in the group and it’s no wonder Mark’s lyrics, “Sometimes I see your face”, were weaved into his montage - proving he is still at the forefront of their minds. So it was apt they reappeared on stage to perform their comeback single as a four-piece, Patience. 

Other hits were given a Country and Western spin as the band straddled Harley-Davidson’s for a ride with cowgirls through the desert, before parking up and hitting the audience floor for an energetic drum and bass rave to Cry. 

An acoustic version of How Deep Is Your Love allowed them to get their breath back although it’s a track I still find hard to listen to, after all, Gary did announce in 1996 that after this single “there would be no more”. A dark time in all ‘Thatters’ lives. 

A full choir joining the stage and Never Forget filling the arena usually signals the end of a TT show, but as the boys departed the giant globe opened up to reveal actual real-life Lulu, who had been hiding up there for nearly two hours. 

Donning shades and a kaftan, she looked like she’d just come straight from the Mammia Mia film set as she belted out a funked-up version of Shout which led into Relight My Fire. What a treat!  

Compared to their previous tours, this had a smaller supporting cast and less theatrics. It felt like a more intimate celebration and a hand-in-hand trip down memory lane. Their reworked material gives the band a chance to play with different styles and tone, which makes me wonder where their journey will take them next?  

Everyone should experience the wonder of a Take That live show and if you haven’t got tickets to see them you can catch the final night of the tour live from Cardiff on June 8 at over 600 cinemas nationwide.